Incoming FCC chair says unlikely commission could reinstate Starlink subsidy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The incoming chair of the Federal Communications Commission said it is “very unlikely” the commission could reconsider its 2022 decision to deny Elon Musk’s SpaceX satellite internet unit Starlink $885.5 million in rural broadband subsidies.

FCC (BME:FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr, who is set to become chair on Jan. 20, told reporters further action was unlikely because following a 2023 decision to affirm the denial there had not been any further reconsideration or appeal by Starlink.

Procedurally “it’s very unlikely the FCC would revisit that” but Carr added he has not fully reviewed the issue. The FCC said in December 2023 that the decision was based on Starlink’s failure to meet basic program requirements.